Devonport Times - 21-28 March 2008 - Devonport City Council

NEWSPET OF THE WEEKMEET Tabs — thisweek’s pet of theweek. He is afriendly feline lookingfor a new home. Canyou help?INDEXPage 8ROTARY REVS UPREVHEADS will unitefor the Rotary Clubof Devonport NorthDevonport Car Showand Swap Meet onMarch 30.Page 8East DevonportYour SayOur PeopleProperty guideUnwindOut and AboutPuzzle pageThe Robinson CollectionTV guideSportCONTACTSADVERTISINGLisa SculthorpeSales executivePhone: 6498 7814Mobile: 0408 124 984lisas@devonporttimes.com.auEDITORIALKate JowettEditorPhone: 6498 7881Fax: 6498 7880katej@devonporttimes.com.auRochelle GallowayReporterPhone: 6498 7844rochelleg@devonporttimes.com.au4-5689-16171819202122-23Chamber fears study isstunting city’s growthCall to putlegs on the‘open forbusiness’catchcryTHE city’s peak retailbody has lashed outat the DevonportCouncil for its approach todevelopment calling it a‘‘recipe for a backwater’’.Devonport Chamber ofCommerce and Industrypresident Jon Hatto saidthe rejection of theBunnings applicationhighlighted problems withthe council’s newlydelivered Devonport RetailStudy 2007.Council was unable tocomment on the DCCI’sconcerns by the DevonportTimes’ print deadline butcomment will be sought fornext week’s edition.The study was designed toassist the Devonport CityCouncil planningdepartment in makingrecommendations fordevelopments.Mr Hatto said that six ofthe 12 reasons why theBunnings applicationfailed was due to this study.‘‘The problem with thestudy is that it is based ona growth rate of 0.4per cent,’’ he said.According to the DCCI,surrounding areas wereplanning for four per centgrowth — 10 times that ofDevonport’s plan.The study also lists retailfloor space needed inaccordance to the growthrate for a 15-year period.In Devonport’s case, MrHatto said the retail floorspace would beextinguished with oneBunnings store.‘‘Essentially, the councilis saying that one newdevelopment of that sizewill last us for 15 years,’’ hesaid.He said he fearedDevonport could be leftbehind.‘‘The DCCI is thereforeasking the question: Do wewant to grow? Or do wewant to stay where we are?‘‘You would think theanswer was obvious, butthe council’s adoption ofFED UP: Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Jon Hatto fears Devonport willbecome a backwater unless the council puts in place a strategy to allows for growth.‘‘The DCCI is therefore asking thequestion: Do we want to grow? Or do wewant to stay where we are?’’this strategy would sayotherwise.’’Mr Hatto said remainingon the ‘‘virtual flatline’’Devonport had beenrunning on for the last fiveyears was not an option.In the past the DCCI hasstuck by the council withits town planningdecisions.Mr Hatto said the amountof investment being offeredin our city was astounding.DCCI president Jon HattoHe is calling on thecouncil to put in place astrategy that allows forgrowth and puts legs onthe ‘‘open for business’’catchcry.The DCCI is stilldetermined to work withthe council and is askingbusinesses to comment onthe retail study throughthe online survey sectionof its websitewww.dcci.org.auPage 2 Devonport Times March 2008